NEW!!! Service Bulletin for Engine Knocking at Startup T-SB 0012-10

I don't think Toyota actually knows why this is happening. I think that's the real problem.

 

It's got a pretty retro feel when it happens. Imagine that a Model T Ford might have started up with much the same results after sitting a while. We've experienced the grumbly start 4 or 5 times since we bought this car.

Still hoping it's not hurting anything.

 

Let it warm up through a complete 1st cycle, never shut it down before it goes into EV, this will solve the issue, don't know why, but it works .

 

Though this might help, it is not a solution. The second time it happened to me, I drove into town, hit a store an twenty minutes later or so started and it happened.

Toyota knows what is going on they just don't how to completely fix it.

 

.............Without spending some serious coin!

 

So did your check engine light come on? You continue to drive it? I am waiting for a replacement IM and am wondering if I should keep driving the car? I drove it a short distance today and no check engine light came on. A very, very short, mild knocking upon start up. I need to go nearly 300 miles tomorrow and am afraid to drive it that far. The Technician said, "As long as the check engine light isn't flashing, it's ok to drive it." So, of course I think, so what if I'm 150 miles from home and the check engine light comes on and starts flashing? OMG - I bought this car to friggin' drive! If any of you have an any knowledge of this, please reply. Thanks.

 

I think I bought yours!

 

Sorry about this 2nd post - not sure what I'm doing, I guess? I think I bought yours!

 

Easy, take a deep breath now. No one that we know of has had an engine failure from this issue and likely will not. Yeah it sucks that it happens but there is no reason to believe that it is damaging the engine at this point. Drive on.

 

How many miles have you put on the car since you bought it? And how much gas have you put in it?

 

Approximately 3,000 miles and I don't know how many fill ups - but I can tell you that I average 46, 47, 48 mpg - running the heat.

 

Hey, I'm a girl - idk. Thanks pal!! Appreciate it. I want to drive on and I will.

 

My thought was that the car had been sitting for a while and condensation in the IM was causing your issue. Adding a can of Heet to the fuel might lessen the startup knock until the dealer fixes the IM. And as has been mentioned, there haven't been any reports of engine damage from the knock. I think you're safe to drive the car until the repairs have been made.

 

Has anyone posted a complaint with the NHTSA about this issue. Everyone on here that has experienced this problem needs to file a complaint, that might just get Toyota to fix the problem. If nothing else, it might start an investigation into the problem. I'm unable to post a link, go to nhtsa.gov, then click on the file a complaint button on the right, it will redirect to safecar.gov and load the complaint form or you can go to the "safecar.gov" site.

 

Is it a safety issue?

 

You are just about right in your thought! It had been sitting, in the garage. Someone else suggested HEET also and I will definitely go with it. I'm using it in other cars that are parked outside the garage. I don't care about the knock - I care about the CEL - scares the heck out of me, til I know what it's all about. Thanks : )

 

I made my 300 miles today with NO problems. In fact, the speed limit has changed to 70 mph here and is finally posted on a couple Interstates I go on and so, I went 70, 71 or 72 and the Prius ran like a champ! THAT's all I want from my purchase - a smooth, easy, high mpg, safe ride : ) That's why I chose a Prius.

 

Nice. Glad to hear it's working the way it's supposed to. That knock will come and go, even after the TSB is performed. It has yet to destroy any engines. The CEL was hopefully a glitch. Enjoy your car.